You can file this under "Just Sayin Is All", but on the screenshots I've seen, Randy Orton's face almost looks like the face of a clean-shaven Giant Gonzalez.

Of course, most likely I'll drop $45 on this in a few months when it comes out, especially since I liked last year's version. Supposedly they've tweaked/improved the engine so that submissions aren't so much impossible but still as logical as the system they introduced with HCTP (e.g. only if you soften up a body part does a submission become a real possibility) as well as a high impact-risk/low impact/risk option in the moveset which of course means the AI has an even HIGHER chance of countering moves that human players can't inversely.

So, there's Palumbo, Rico, Haas and Jindrak, but no Regal or Eugene. I mean, seriously, what's the thought process when putting a roster together? Does WWE tie hands that tightly? THQ will probably make an assload of money on this game just because of Bret Hart, and that's a shame, and that's not a knock against Bret.

The cutoff for characters for these kinda games is always a few months before the actual release.If at that time WWE figured they would not be doing anything with Spike, London, Regal, Eugene and who not, then they wont be in there..Just think back like 4-5 months ago and who was on tv then getting a push. Cade, Rico, Haas, Holly were used.Eugene was just appearing and I don't think they expected him to get that big at that point.

More important is the CAW options..usually they put the guys that arent part of the official roster in there somehow.If there is a hairdo called 'special' you know Eugene's face will be in there somewhere.

Eugene would be a better CAW creation because you could give him the moves of as many WWE legends as you like: Superfly Splash, Fameasser, Stunner, Rock Bottom, Sweet Chin Music, Mandible Claw, Legdrop, etc.

Apparently IGN is going to reveal the other six legends over the course of this week. I'm assuming The Rock will be one of them, maybe Austin, otherwise, that is the final roster. Unless someone gets fired and Vince demands them out of the game, I think this is the roster we're stuck with.

No Hurricane? No Jamie Noble? No Paul London? >=\

"You won't see that on Everybody Loves Raymond!"-J.R. after Trish gets pasted with a chair

Geez, must we have peeps moan about who's not there EVERY year? I mean with the best will in the world they're not going to be able to get the rosters 100% up to date on realease. Haas, Rico and Holly were getting pushed a few months back, Kidman et al weren't.

And honestly, how many people do you think will keep their money in their wallet because Paul London's not on the roster? Hurricane's absence is admittedly a puzzler for I thought he'd be pretty popular with the ankle biter demographic, but he'll surely be available as a CAW.

Can't we just rejoice in the snaziness of the new things they have? Heck everyone invariably ends up finding the game to be great anyways. The heel/face thing sounds fun, and hopefully it means the story mode will be more reflective of your alignment as a result. Stare downs should be pretty cool too. From what I hear they don't ALWAYS happen either so the shouldn't get too tiresome. And hopefully the submissions aren't so utterly impossible again.

Create a belt does nothing for me but I'm still eager with anticipation for its arrival on these here shores.

Originally posted by The Vile1Hm, what about Rock and Mic Foley? I got to believe they will be put on there as well.

I could see them as Legends. Foley's retired, after all, and Rock isn't an active competitor. IGN claimed they had about six legends to show off, and it's a good bet they're two of them.

I'm a little disappointed in the lack of Eugene; the claim was that the roster would include everybody in active competition for the month of August, and Eugene was ALL OVER August. I guess he can be CAW'd but the animations for his awkward little stance / walk / run might not be there.

I'm kind of glad Hurricane and Spike aren't in there -- so I can CAW them with GOOD stats. In my Bizarro WWE I demand these be treated as something other than jobbers, dangit!

I was also highly amused by IGN's preview pics including Bret putting the sharpshooter on HBK. Muwahaha.

I think the best new addition though, beyond the roster, is Create-a-Belt which can then be defended on Create-a-PPVs. If you're tired of all your CAWs getting the short stick because they enter story mode with jobber popularity, now you can run a fed-within-a-fed. Huzzah.

I might be to forgive the lack of some big name superstars (I'm looking at you Jamie 'by God' Noble and the General Lee tights) as long as the "rumored" online mode is included. We do got the CAW , but hopefully in the future (PS3 I assume and Wrestlemania 21 X-Box) why not have "roster" upgrades like sports games do.

Do you guys think there is any chance of the AKI engine ever being used again on a WWE videogame? I really miss the gameplay of Wrestlemania 2000 and No Mercy.

After watching the videos, I got to be honest, the PBP commentary feature on this game is kind of cool b/c you are hearing Cole and Tazz, but its also pretty lame too because they just repeat the same stuff over and over. I think the game would just be better off without commentators.

As for the legend characters, anyone think Stone Cold Steve Austin will make it on there? I guess its doubtful considering with everything that's happened this year.